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Built ca. late 1990's, the neighborhood ran into 2008. Little to nothing done with homes/neighborhood landscaping into 2018.
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Penny wise, dollar foolish.
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Why?
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With minimal thought, proper Garden Design thought, property values can be increased with each homeowner, fewer even, maybe 50% of homeowners, no, lower, 30% of homeowners, increasing property value for all the homes in the neighborhood. People believe what they see.
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How?
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Ask homeowners to plant 3 bushes. Away from the home preferably for little to no pruning, ever. For our zone, tall holly, tall juniper, magnolia.
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Pic, above, here.
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As those plants grow, they create beauty, natural habitat, and, most importantly, breaking of site lines between homes. Instead of a panorama of garages/drives, airconditioners, back patios/decks, etc. Now, the neighborhood is a Norman Rockwell painting in its setting. Properly matted & framed.
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But wait, there is more money, $$$, on the table, than mere property value.
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Already know where that money is?
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Real money. Monthly, into homeowner pockets. More, this money-into-pockets increases Earthly sustainability. Eco.
Pic, above, here.
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Siting those minimum 3 evergreen tall plants properly to block summer's sun, and winter's winds, decreases HVAC expense. 10% and higher. Do the math.
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Baking sun on a side of your home from 10am to sunset? You're saving real money.
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Take my Garden Design proposal a step further, and closer to your home, if you have sun issues, choose a deciduous tree to block summer sun, and let winter sun stream in.
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What's on the other side of those conifers, above? Perhaps the neighbor's deck with a John boat underneath.
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What is privacy worth to you? More, while creating the privacy, gaining beauty.
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Basic. Basic Garden Design.
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Greater, stewardship. No matter where you start, your own Garden Design or helping your neighborhood Garden Design, stewardship arrives in macro. What does that mean? Living amongst a proper Garden Design is about far more than money. Grace. Living a life in grace. Rich in resources. Resources as E.M. Forster spoke of resources in, Where Angels Fear to Tread. Joseph Campbell said, If you don't get it here, you won't get it anywhere. Pity anyone would accept that.
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Garden & Be Well, XOT